The air inside the Dike mansion was thick with tension. The recent increase in security, Thorndike's growing suspicions, and Mr. Eddie Dike's silent investigation into Blue had created an atmosphere of unease.
Mr. EddieDike paced his study, deep in thought. Mr. Watson had promised to uncover everything about Blue's background, but the little information he had received so far was unsettling. Something about her story didn't add up. Determined to get answers, Mr. Watson called one of his trusted friends, a seasoned investigator.
"Hello, Agent Mark, I have a job for you. Make it discreet. I'll send you the details immediately."
"Understood," Mark responded.
Moments later, his phone pinged with the job details. Without hesitation, he grabbed his car keys and drove out.
Mr. Skinner's Mansion
Blue had barely settled into her thoughts when her father summoned her to his study. His piercing gaze met hers as he leaned back in his chair, a cigar resting between his fingers.
"You're coming with me tonight," he stated firmly.
Blue's heart pounded. "Where to?"
"You don't ask questions. Just do as you're told," he snapped before exhaling a puff of smoke. "Be ready in fifteen minutes."
As night fell, Blue stepped out of the house, slipping into Mr. Skinner's sleek black car. Jack was behind the wheel, driving them toward the outskirts of the city.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood in the shadows, watching. Agent Mark adjusted his binoculars, his brows furrowing as he spotted Blue willingly entering Mr. Skinner's car.
Speaking into his earpiece, he whispered, "Target is on the move. I'll follow."
He hopped into his car and trailed them from a distance, careful not to draw attention.
The car pulled up to an abandoned warehouse. Agent Mark parked a safe distance away and observed as Blue hesitated before stepping out. Mr. Skinner led her inside, the metal doors clanking shut behind them.
Jack, however, was no fool. He had sensed they were being followed. As soon as Mr. Skinner and Blue entered the warehouse, he made a sharp U-turn, speeding toward Mark's car.
Mark's instincts kicked in. He quickly turned on his engine, swerving into a dark alley, shutting off his headlights. Jack sped past, missing him by inches.
Inside the Warehouse
Blue's unease grew as she observed the men gathered inside. Stacks of cash lay on a table, briefcases exchanged hands, and hushed voices filled the dimly lit space. She clenched her fists. What was Mr. Skinner truly involved in?
Mr. Skinner stepped forward. "Gentlemen, let me introduce you all to my heir, Blue Skinner."
Blue stiffened. Heir? Her mind raced. What was he trying to pull?
Mr. Skinner turned to her, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. "Welcome to the business. I hope you're ready for what's to come."
Fear gripped her, but she masked it well, nodding silently.
"Pleasure doing business with you all," Mr. Skinner announced. "Let's go, Blue."
As they drove home, Jack reported his suspicions. "I think someone was tailing us."
Mr. Skinner's eyes darkened. "Check the CCTV footage. I want to know who it was."
Jack wasted no time. He combed through security footage and finally found what he was looking for—a car, its plates registered to Agent Mark.
He called Mr. Skinner immediately. "Sir, I found him. The car belongs to an Agent Mark."
Mr. Skinner's voice was cold. "Find out why he's after us."
Agent Mark's Apartment
Mark sat at his desk, phone pressed to his ear. "Watson, I followed Blue and Mr. Skinner. There's definitely something going on. I'll dig deeper."
As he ended the call, he sensed movement in the shadows. His muscles tensed.
A second later, Jack lunged, grabbing him from behind. Mark struggled, but Jack was stronger, slamming him onto the floor and delivering a brutal punch to his face. Blood dripped from Mark's nose as Jack hauled him onto a chair, tying him up.
"Who sent you?" Jack growled, his grip tightening.
Mark clenched his jaw, refusing to speak.
Jack pulled out a knife and stabbed his leg.
Mark screamed, blood pooling beneath him.
"I'll ask one last time. Are you working for the police?"
Mark gasped through the pain. "No. I was only gathering information for a friend."
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
Mark hesitated before muttering, "Mr. Watson."
Jack's stomach twisted. Mr. Watson… that means Mr. EddieDike was involved.
Jack stepped back, pulling out his phone. "Sir, you were right. Someone is after Blue."
Mr. Skinner's voice seethed with anger. "Who dares come after my child?"
Jack exhaled. "Mark works for Mr. Watson. And Mr. Watson is connected to Mr EddieDike."
Mr. Skinner went silent. Then, in a low, dangerous tone, he said, "We need to know what they know. Mark works for me now. Get everything you can from him."
Jack hung up, turning back to Mark. "Looks like your life just got spared. But you work for us now."
Mark groaned in pain but nodded weakly.
Mr EddieDike's Mansion
Mr. EddieDike's phone rang, snapping him from his thoughts.
"Eddie," Mr. Watson's voice was grave. "I found something. You might want to sit down."
Eddie's grip tightened on the phone. "What is it?"
"There's no solid record of Blue's past before she met Julie. It's like she appeared out of nowhere. But I traced a connection back to Mr. Skinner."
Eddie's face darkened. "Skinner?"
"Yes. And that's not all. If my sources are right, this could be bigger than we thought."
Eddie clenched his jaw. "Find out everything, Watson. I want the truth."